Astros report: Porter applauds Altuve's discipline at the...

1of2Second baseman Jose Altuve had two hits and scored after both on George Springer home runs in the Astros' 9-4 win over the Mariners on Saturday night.Photo: Elaine Thompson, STF

2of2Astros manager Bo Porter, left, is loving it as George Springer works the receiving line after slugging a home run in the fifth inning at Seattle on Saturday night. It was Springer's second two-run shot of the game.Photo: Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images

SEATTLE - After Saturday's 9-4 win over the Mariners, second baseman Jose Altuve leads the major leagues with 68 hits.

Manager Bo Porter has given glowing reviews of Altuve, 24, who might be most impressive this season not because of the hits but because of improved plate discipline.

Entering Saturday, the numbers show his walk rate is up, he's swinging at fewer pitches out of the zone (30.9 percent of the time compared to 35.9 percent last season) and his swinging-strike rate dropped (4.1 percent compared to 6.1 percent a year ago). And when he does swing at balls out of the zone, he's making contact at a higher rate.

Plate discipline is hard to teach and learn, but Altuve's first two months are proof it can be done.

"But I think the mental aspect of it is even that much greater, and I think that he's improved leaps and bounds in his mental strike zone, which has actually helped in his development of taking a lot of those close pitches.

"And he's OK with taking a walk."

Altuve's 20 multi-hit games were tied for most in the majors entering Saturday, and he has a .322 average with 17 RBIs and a pair of home runs.

But Altuve's middle-infield partner, shortstop Jonathan Villar, has had a rough go.

Villar is in an 0-for-17 slump and carried a .172 average, a .209 on-base percentage and .297 slugging percentage in May heading into Saturday's game.

The possible culprit: a lengthy swing, an issue the switch-hitter has battled in the past.

He hit three home runs in April and has two this month and has more power from the right side.

"I know he's been working extremely hard with (hitting coach) John (Mallee) just trying to really shorten up his swing," Porter said. "I think a lot of times you can hit a few home runs and sometimes it can be dangerous for you."

Peacock healing; Keuchel held up

Scratched from Friday's start because of soreness in the area of his elbow and upper forearm, righthander Brad Peacock threw a standard bullpen session of roughly 30 pitches Saturday at Safeco Field and said he felt no discomfort.

"I felt awesome," Peacock said. "Was throwing everything for strikes, and I feel back to normal."

Peacock said he threw all of his pitches. His next bullpen session is scheduled for Tuesday.

Lefthander Dallas Keuchel was pushed back from Saturday to Sunday in part because of his pitch count his last time out, he said. He threw a career-high 128 pitches May 19, a dozen more tosses than his previous career high.

"We're just worried about the pitch count, but the two days after is the best I felt," Keuchel said, adding he also felt great after his second-most recent start, a complete game against the Rangers on May 13.

Keuchel, who's routine-oriented, said he doesn't like skipping a turn but understands the team's point of view.

"I'm not really a big fan unless it's an off day," Keuchel said. "But at the same time, I'm not really here to talk about if I don't like the off day or not. But, you know, it's their decision; I'm just here to pitch."

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